I f you can tell the difference between your Chardonnay and Shiraz — or can’t, but are dying to — there are some special spots in the city just tailor-made for you. The current trend in the nightlife space is all about celebrating your niche — speciality cocktail, whiskey and wine bars dot downtown areas. While many do offer other spirits, the focus remains on the theme. But wine clubs are now mushrooming across the metros, fuelling a curiosity for wine in a country where it had remained an elitist drink for far too long. Wine lovers now have neighbourhood wine bars that are inviting and warm, minus the snobbery. Nikhil Agarwal, sommelier & CEO at All Things Nice, a wine and spirits consulting company, points out the basics, “A good wine bar should have a range of wines from as many corners of the world as possible, displaying every kind it stocks. It should have the option of serving wine by the glass and it should not burn holes in wallets. The staff should be encouraging, warm and educated on the wines they serve. They should be in a position to guide guests through their choices, and be able to pair wine and food. The food should not be ignored, and the environment should add to the experience”. While we keep searching for the ideal wine bar, here are a few from across the country that make the cut.

The Wine Rack, Mumbai

The Wine Rack at High Street Phoenix, the latest conversation starter in Mumbai, comes from the same group as Whiskey Samba (Gurugram) and Antares (Goa). Their wine list includes over 300 wines sourced from 35 different regions such as Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin, Tignanello, Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot, Cloudy Bay and many more. While it is a bar, the guests can also buy their bottles from the wine shop within the restaurant premises to carry with them. The food menu has been designed by celebrity chef and former Masterchef Australia contestant Sarah Todd. She has added regional influences from India to her street-food style menu. The menu is diverse and includes surprises such as Chettinad vada pav with pineapple relish, sev puri meets Bangkok, Raan Kolhapuri, kulcha platter, among others. And to justify the name, they have a 50-metre long wine rack within this swanky bar.

The Wine Rack, Courtyard, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel, Mumbai; Tel: 84528 33377

Timings: Noon to 1 am

266 – The Wine Room & Bar, Mumbai

If you’re looking to spend some quality time with your partner, Mumbai has a new it-place. 266 – The Wine Room & Bar is a dream come true for Chef Sahil Arora and Riddhi Merchant. The first thing that strikes you here is the subtly done modern décor. Their bar menu offers an extensive collection of wines from regions such as Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, France, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal along with Indian favourites. A few of the wines that are a must-try here include Sensi Collezione Chianti, Masi Levarie Soave, Faustino VII Rioja. Chef Arora brings to his European menu his experience from Australia and Le Cordon Bleu in his European menu. Go for the fresh flavours of the caramelised fig salad, Caprese salad, and indulge in the perfectly cooked crispy on top pork belly with your wine.

266 Linking Road, Bandra West (Next to Shopper’s Stop), Mumbai; Tel: 08879101350

Timings: Noon to 3 pm and 7 pm to midnight

Vintage Bank, Chennai

This Chennai bar will instantly transport you back in time with its vintage charm — just as its name suggests. It’s quiet and delightfully private for those who are looking to enjoy their evening with their favourite wines — and people. They call themselves the only wine-and-cheese bar in the city, and to celebrate that, they host tasting sessions regularly. That is when they flaunt the best of their bottles as well. They have wines from Chile, Portugal, Australia, France, Italy and South Africa. The best on the menu includes Sutter Home Chardonnay, Mateus, Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Villa Maria Marlborough to name a few. Keeping the theme classy, their food menu features classic tapas — Spanish finger food — that can be paired well with wines. But if you like to eat something substantial, they do offer a selection of pizzas.

124/1 JN Salai Poomagal Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Alandur, Chennai; Tel: 044 22255555

Timings: 11 am to 11 pm

Perch Wine & Coffee Bar

This Delhi bar is every hipster’s dream — a dark roast by the day and a deep red by sunset. The ambience is contemporary and inviting. They sell their wines by glass, carafe and bottle, and if you happen to spot your favourite on their menu, you can open it exclusively and keep it safe for your next visit. Their wine menu features classic and newly-launched wines from Spain, Italy, France, Argentina and US. The must-try options include Pinot Noir, Luz Maria Cabernet Sauvignon, La Capra Chenin Blanc to name a few. The food menu is Instagram-friendly and has a wide range of small and large plates to be paired with your vino. Go for their apple and fennel salad, pulled duck in barbecue sauce, black rice and mushroom risotto and tenderloin medallion.

71, Khan Market, New Delhi; Tel: 083739 76637

Timings: 11.30 am to 1 am

Yauatcha, Bengaluru

Bengaluru, the beer capital of the country, might be dotted with pubs that serve heady brews, but there is certainly one place that celebrates its wines. This contemporary Cantonese eatery has been winning hearts with its dim sums but that’s not all — their bar is decked with a cellar that sells the finest of wines. They have wines from Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and South Africa and have options such as Casamatta Bianco, Sensi Pinot Grigio and Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc.

The food menu will spoil you for choice with its wide range of dim sums. The must-try ones include crispy duck roll, asparagus and water chestnut and char sui buns.

Address: level 5, 1, MG Road, Someshwarpura, Ulsoor, Bengaluru; Tel: 092222 22800

Timings: Noon to 11 pm

Kasturi Gadge is a Mumbai-based journalist